Sound Of Bell Thrills Zimmer

The Cubs did it a bit more dramatically with the signing of George Bell. The White Sox added depth and hitting, but their unfinished business includes the signing of Cy Young winner Bob Welch.

On Friday, the day after the last major-league executives left the winter meetings, Don Zimmer sounded like the kid whose parents had given him the biggest Christmas present on the block.

A week ago he had seen George Bell in the window and wanted him. Now he had him, with 18 shopping days to spare.

``When I first got to town (for the winter meetings), we had a meeting talking about free agents,`` Zimmer said. ``Naturally, (President) Don Grenesko`s the man. If he says it`s OK, it`s OK, and if not, it`s not going to happen.

``Well, we`re sitting there and Bell`s name comes up. And I said,

`Wouldn`t that be something if we could get a George Bell?` ``

Well, they did-for what may turn out to be the richest contract in Cub history, $9.3 million over three years and a club option for a fourth worth another $3.3 million. The deal, combined with the $10.5 million signing of Danny Jackson, makes the Cubs the most-improved team in the National League East.

The White Sox also improved themselves, though not quite as dramatically. Their addition of Cory Snyder, at the expense of Eric King and Shawn Hillegas, filled a pressing need for depth and run production.

They nearly pulled off a whopper of a deal that would have sent Ivan Calderon and a pitcher-probably Melido Perez-to Montreal for Tim Raines.

The Sox were disappointed when it fell through, but their top priority is the same as it was when the meetings began. They want to lure Welch, and General Manager Ron Schueler has said the club will spend at least $12 million to land him.

The Sox also may have designs on some of the ``new look`` free agents who officially went on the market Friday; among the candidates are center-fielder- leadoff man Brett Butler, who`s probably out of their price range, and Jack Morris, who probably isn`t.

But for now the Sox will continue to chase Welch.

South Siders will have to wait to see if they catch him. For North Siders, the waiting involves the countdown to spring training, which will open with the Cubs favored to win their division.

``For the last two years, that`s all you`ve heard is that we need somebody who whacks the ball, and we got it,`` Zimmer said. ``There`s no question it makes us a lot stronger team. A guy said to me, `Things will change in Vegas. You`ll be the favorite.` I said, `That`s fine.` ``

Zimmer said he`d probably flip-flop Bell and Andre Dawson in the fourth and fifth slots in the batting order. He sees Bell, who has a career average of .286, as more than just a power hitter.

``I`ve talked to people who tell me he`s one of the best 0-2 hitters around,`` Zimmer said. ``Most power hitters, you might get them 0-2 and you figure you`ll strike them out, but not this guy.``

Bell has good reason to put together a monster season next year. He took it personally when the Jays picked up Joe Carter for left field in a blockbuster swap with San Diego, making it clear they wanted no part of Bell. ``That deal was just personal,`` Bell said. ``(General Manager) Pat Gillick didn`t want certain players. He probably wanted me to play in Japan or Mexico.

``They really treated me bad the last two months after the season,`` Bell said. ``They really should have treated me better than they did.``

Zimmer has heard the stories about Bell, but he puts more credence in scouts` reports about Bell`s all-out approach to the game. The two spoke by phone Thursday.